Childbirth Is Real Pain Months Later

Apr 6 2008 Dr Gareth Smith

Q AFTER having my son a few months ago I developed a tear in my back passage. The pain is worse than childbirth. My doctor prescribed creams and laxatives but it is still sore. What can I do?

AANAL fissures are very painful and quite common. They are made worse by increased tension in the two rectal muscles, which can occur before you pass a stool.

Laxatives help keep things soft but in some cases GPs will inject botox into the anal muscles on one side to paralyse the muscle, decrease the tension and make healing easier.

Q MY mum is in her 60s and has been diagnosed with pernicious anaemia. Her GP says she needs injections to treat it.

But what is it?

APERNICIOUS anaemia develops over time when the body is not able to use vitamin B12 to make blood cells.

Symptoms include a fast heartbeat, weakness, stomach and chest pain and sometimes jaundice.

She will need frequent vitamin injections to boost levels and help the body make enough blood to make her feel well.

Q I WOKE up last week and one side of my face was drooping. I thought I'd had a stroke but my GP says I have Bell's palsy. What causes it and will I look like this for ever?

ABELL'S palsy is the paralysis of the facial muscles and is thought to be caused by inflammation in the nerves which move the muscles of the face.

No one knows what causes it but it usually clears up with no treatment within 10 weeks.

If it is caused by a viral infection of the nerve he may give you antiviral drugs such as acyclovir.

Q I'M a little overweight and have developed horrible dark brown patches under my arms and around my groin. What are they and will they go away?

AIT sounds like acanthosis nigricans, a thickening of the skin and discolouration in the skin's folds.

It is more common in overweight people and some specialists think it is due to the body becoming resistant to insulin.

In rare cases it can be precancerous so it is worth having it checked by your GP. It would also be a good idea to lose weight as this should stop it getting worse.